First 'model solar city' planned in Nagpur
18 Feb 2009
Nagpur, in Maharashtra will be developed as the first solar city in the country under an ambitious programme for utilisation of solar energy being launched tomorrow by the ministry of new and renewable energy.
The ministry proposes to develop 60 such cities during the 11th plan period. At least one city in each state to a maximum of five cities in a state will be supported by the ministry, a government press release said.
The plan is to meet the peak electricity demand of cities, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and expensive oil and gas for energy and to promote increased use of renewable energy, the release said.
Nagpur will become model solar city by 2012 under the scheme. Up to 10 per cent of energy consumption of this city has been targeted to be met through renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Fifty per cent of the cost will be shared by the ministry where Rs50 lakh will be provided for master plan, solar city cell and promotional activities.
Major solar energy system, including street lights, garden lights, traffic lights, hoardings, solar water heaters etc, will be set up in Nagpur. Energy-efficient green buildings also will be promoted on a large scale in the city.
The ministry plans to develop two cities as model solar cities. Financial support up to a maximum of Rs9.50 crore will be available to each of these model solar cities for implementation of the master plan developed under the scheme. The support will be on 50 per cent cost sharing basis from respective municipal corporation /city administration/state government. Money will be released after the city identified for development as model solar city submits its master plan for which a separate support is available under the scheme as per above.
The total funds will consist of Rs19 core (MNRE support of Rs9.50 crore and the matching grant from municipal corporation/city administration/state government) for developing a city as model solar city may not be sufficient. Therefore, the city, in addition to this grant, will be eligible to draw separate support for installation of renewable energy systems from various ongoing schemes of the ministry wherein the present restriction on the number/ capacity of renewable energy systems/devices being supported in a city, if any, may not be applicable.
